(Luke 2:40 [AKJV])
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was on him.
Grace = G5485 χάρις charis (khar'-ece) n.
1. graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act
2. (especially) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life
3. (also) gratitude
{abstract or concrete, literal, figurative or spiritual}
[from G5463]
KJV: acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)
What need did Jesus have for unmerited favor? None, for He is the fulfillment of the law. As a man, Jesus did rely on the empowering grace of God to walk out His calling. As a man He shows us that we too have access to this empowering grace.
"Grace, as the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life, is available and provided to all who believe on Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him."
What Christ did on the earth, He did as a man, not as God. He laid His Godhood down and functioned as a man. This is how He can say "pick up your cross and follow me". This is how He can say, to the Father, "as you have sent me into the world, so have I also sent them into the world". Are we sent into the as God or as the man Jesus Christ? As the man Jesus Christ no doubt. As God, He can not expect us to do what only God can do. As the man, Jesus Christ, He can expect us to do as He did by the same means He did it. By the grace of God. By the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The bible explicitly testifies to Christ's work as a man on the earth. See the following passages for proof.
1) > (1Cor 15:21 [AKJV])
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
(1Cor 15:22 [AKJV])
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(1Cor 15:23 [AKJV])
But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
2) > (Rom 5:17 [AKJV])
For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
(Rom 5:18 [AKJV])
Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came on all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came on all men to justification of life.
(Rom 5:19 [AKJV])
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
3) > (Acts 2:22 [AKJV])
You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:
(Acts 2:23 [AKJV])
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
(Acts 2:24 [AKJV])
Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.
Following, in Romans 1:5 we see a contextual definition of grace as an empowering influence of God on the heart of Paul. Further, we see this extended to those who believe through Paul's words, in verse 6.
(Rom 1:1 [AKJV])
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
(Rom 1:2 [AKJV])
(Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
(Rom 1:3 [AKJV])
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
(Rom 1:4 [AKJV])
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
(Rom 1:5 [AKJV])
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
(Rom 1:6 [AKJV])
Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:
Here the Spirit of the Lord is speaking throught the chosen Apostle of Christ the same thing Jesus prayed in John 17. Lets look at Jesus' words.
(John 17:17 [AKJV/PCE])
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:18 [AKJV/PCE])
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
(John 17:19 [AKJV/PCE])
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
(John 17:20 [AKJV/PCE])
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus said He sends them out even as He was sent and then says not only these does He pray for but those who would believe through their word. Then, we see Paul, sent out even as Christ was sent out, receiving grace for Apostleship and obedience to the faith. Let's look at Christ's words to Ananias concerning Paul right now.
(Acts 9:15 [AKJV/PCE])
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(Acts 9:16 [AKJV/PCE])
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
We see the words of Christ fulfilled in the Apostle Paul and next we will see them extended beyond Paul. This grace is extended to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:1 [AKJV])
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Phil 1:2 [AKJV])
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:3 [AKJV])
I thank my God on every remembrance of you,
(Phil 1:4 [AKJV])
Always in every prayer of my for you all making request with joy,
(Phil 1:5 [AKJV])
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
(Phil 1:6 [AKJV])
Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
(Phil 1:7 [AKJV])
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.
(Phil 1:8 [AKJV])
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:9 [AKJV])
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
(Phil 1:10 [AKJV])
That you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.
(Phil 1:11 [AKJV])
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was on him.
Grace = G5485 χάρις charis (khar'-ece) n.
1. graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act
2. (especially) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life
3. (also) gratitude
{abstract or concrete, literal, figurative or spiritual}
[from G5463]
KJV: acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)
What need did Jesus have for unmerited favor? None, for He is the fulfillment of the law. As a man, Jesus did rely on the empowering grace of God to walk out His calling. As a man He shows us that we too have access to this empowering grace.
"Grace, as the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life, is available and provided to all who believe on Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him."
What Christ did on the earth, He did as a man, not as God. He laid His Godhood down and functioned as a man. This is how He can say "pick up your cross and follow me". This is how He can say, to the Father, "as you have sent me into the world, so have I also sent them into the world". Are we sent into the as God or as the man Jesus Christ? As the man Jesus Christ no doubt. As God, He can not expect us to do what only God can do. As the man, Jesus Christ, He can expect us to do as He did by the same means He did it. By the grace of God. By the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The bible explicitly testifies to Christ's work as a man on the earth. See the following passages for proof.
1) > (1Cor 15:21 [AKJV])
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
(1Cor 15:22 [AKJV])
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
(1Cor 15:23 [AKJV])
But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
2) > (Rom 5:17 [AKJV])
For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
(Rom 5:18 [AKJV])
Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came on all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came on all men to justification of life.
(Rom 5:19 [AKJV])
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
3) > (Acts 2:22 [AKJV])
You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:
(Acts 2:23 [AKJV])
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
(Acts 2:24 [AKJV])
Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.
Following, in Romans 1:5 we see a contextual definition of grace as an empowering influence of God on the heart of Paul. Further, we see this extended to those who believe through Paul's words, in verse 6.
(Rom 1:1 [AKJV])
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
(Rom 1:2 [AKJV])
(Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
(Rom 1:3 [AKJV])
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
(Rom 1:4 [AKJV])
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
(Rom 1:5 [AKJV])
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
(Rom 1:6 [AKJV])
Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:
Here the Spirit of the Lord is speaking throught the chosen Apostle of Christ the same thing Jesus prayed in John 17. Lets look at Jesus' words.
(John 17:17 [AKJV/PCE])
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:18 [AKJV/PCE])
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
(John 17:19 [AKJV/PCE])
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
(John 17:20 [AKJV/PCE])
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus said He sends them out even as He was sent and then says not only these does He pray for but those who would believe through their word. Then, we see Paul, sent out even as Christ was sent out, receiving grace for Apostleship and obedience to the faith. Let's look at Christ's words to Ananias concerning Paul right now.
(Acts 9:15 [AKJV/PCE])
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
(Acts 9:16 [AKJV/PCE])
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
We see the words of Christ fulfilled in the Apostle Paul and next we will see them extended beyond Paul. This grace is extended to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:1 [AKJV])
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Phil 1:2 [AKJV])
Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:3 [AKJV])
I thank my God on every remembrance of you,
(Phil 1:4 [AKJV])
Always in every prayer of my for you all making request with joy,
(Phil 1:5 [AKJV])
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
(Phil 1:6 [AKJV])
Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
(Phil 1:7 [AKJV])
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.
(Phil 1:8 [AKJV])
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
(Phil 1:9 [AKJV])
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
(Phil 1:10 [AKJV])
That you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.
(Phil 1:11 [AKJV])
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
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